White delight one

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a new variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘WHITE DELIGHT ONE’. This new variety, which requires approximately 500-550 chilling units of dormancy, is considered to be a peach tree which produces a high quality, subacid, large, firm, clingstone, white-fleshed peach that matures in late May in the medium chill zone of Texas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to peach trees and, more specifically, to peachtrees referred to as a variety of Prunus persica named ‘WHITE DELIGHTONE’ ‘WHITE DELIGHT ONE’, which requires approximately 500-550 chillingunits of dormancy, produces an high quality, sub-acid, large, firm,clingstone, white-fleshed peach that matures in late May in the mediumchill zone of Texas.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘WHITE DELIGHT ONE’ peach is characterized as to novelty and isotherwise noteworthy by producing fruit that ripens in the early season;is considered very high quality; and which is firm and has an attractivecoloration. In this regard, the present variety of peach tree bearsfruit that are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment in the lateMay, when the fruit is grown in Fairfield, Tex. (medium chill zone ofTexas). ‘WHITE DELIGHT ONE’ ripens 5 to 7 days earlier than ‘June Gold’and 3 to 5 days after ‘Regal’ in the medium chill zone of Texas.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present peach tree was the result of an ongoing Stone Fruit BreedingProgram of Texas A & M University, College Station, Brazos County, Tex.To this end, both controlled and hybrid crosses are made each year inorder to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies areevaluated and selected.

‘White Delight One’ (WD1) tested as TX4C236LW is a 1998 cross between ayellow fleshed, medium chill peach selection (TX2492-1 =nectarineseedling ×Earligrande) and the Japanese cultivar ‘Chiyohime’ which is anearly ripening subacid white-fleshed peach. ‘Chiyohime’ was released bythe National Institute of Fruit Science (Tsukuba, Japan) in 1986 and isa hybrid between ‘Koyohakuto’ and ‘Saotome’ (Yoshida et al., 1987).Resulting seed from these crosses were planted in 1999 in a high densitybreeding orchard at the Texas A & M University Horticultural Farm inCollege Station, Tex. During 2003, this selection was marked asTX4C236LW for subsequent observation and noted as having exceptionalcharacteristics. Two-year and older trees of the variety weresubsequently evaluated during the 2005 through 2011 fruit growingseasons in both California (Fowler) and Texas (Fairfield, Terrell andCollege Station).

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

‘WHITE DELIGHT ONE’ was bud grafted onto virus-free Nemaguard (“TheBrooks and Olmo Register of Fruit and Nut Varieties,” 3rd Ed., AmericanSociety of Horticultural Science Press, Alexandria, Va., 1997) peachrootstock in June 1998 at the nursery site in Oakdale, Calif. Thevariety was subsequently planted at the experimental orchard in thecentral portion of the San Joaquin Valley, near Fowler, Fresno County,Calif. and in three sites in Texas (College Station, Fairfield, andTerrell). Fruit from the resulting propagation has been evaluated duringthe period from 2005 to 2011 fruit seasons. This evaluation clearlydemonstrated that the re-propagated trees were true to thecharacteristics of the original seedling in all observable aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety of peach tree is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic drawings and depicts the plant by the best possible colorrepresentation using color photography, wherein:

FIG. 1. Color photograph of characteristic fruit with twig and leaves of‘White Delight One’. The fruit shown shows sufficient externalcoloration for commercial harvest. The fruit are on a tree in Fowler,Calif. Note that the fruit are rounder than fruit produced in a lowerchill zone in Fairfield, Tex. as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2. Color photograph of ‘White Delight One’ fruit showing clingstoneadhesion to flesh, internal flesh color, shape, and external coloringalong suture. The fruit was harvested in the medium chill zone of Texas.

FIG. 3. Color photograph of the endocarps of ‘White Delight One’.

FIG. 4. A stem showing the leaves of the ‘White Delight One’ peach. Theruler is demarcated in millimeters.

FIG. 5. Non-showy flowers of White Delight One’. The ruler is inmillimeters.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the experimental orchards in themedium chill zone of Texas. All major color code designations are byreference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart (Third Edition) provided by TheRoyal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Colors are approximate ascolor depends on horticultural practices such as light level andfertilization rate, among others.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Generally average to above average as compared to            other common peach cultivars ripening in the early season of            maturity.        -   Height.—8 feet (2.44 m) at the end of the 2012 growing            season.        -   Width.—8 feet (2.44 m) at the end of the 2012 growing            season.        -   Vigor.—High.        -   Density.—Medium to high.        -   Productivity.—Productive.        -   Shape.—The trees are vigorous with the typical            semi-spreading growth habit similar to ‘TexKing’,            ‘TexPrince’, and ‘TexRoyal’.        -   Current season growth.—The current season growth for the new            variety was approximately 4.25 to 4.6 feet (1.3-1.4 m).        -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular, and considered hardy under            typical conditions experienced in the medium chill zone of            central Texas (College Station, Fairfield, Terrell) and in            central San Joaquin Valley, Calif.-   TRUNK:    -   -   Size.—Approximately 4.9 inches (12.5 cm) in diameter and            18.0 inches (45.7 cm) in circumference when measured at a            distance of approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) above the soil            level, at the end of the 2012 growing season on a five-year            old tree.        -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough with numerous            folds of papery scarf-like skin being present.        -   Bark coloration.—Variable, colors present are 166A of the            Greyed-Orange Group, N186C, 187A and 187D of the            Greyed-Purple Group, 198D of the Greyed-Green Group and            N200D of the Brown group.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety.        -   Thickness.—Average (about 6.5 cm in diameter as measured 10            cm from the trunk on a five-year old tree) as compared to            other varieties.        -   Surface texture.—Average and appearing furrowed on wood that            is several years old.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels present. The            lenticels range in size from approximately 3.0 to 9.0 mm in            width and were approximately 1 mm in height.        -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture—Substantially            glabrous.        -   Internode length.—Approximately 4.0 to 4.5 cm as measured in            the middle of a current season stem.        -   Color of mature branches.—The predominant colors are 165A            and 177A-B of the Grey-Orange Group and 200D of the Brown            group.        -   Current season shoots.—Color—Light green (144A, N144D,            145A-B and 146C-D of the Yellow-Green Group) with some            reddish-brown coloration appearing on exposed surface of the            shoots (166C-D, 172B-C and 173A of the Greyed-Orange Group).-   LEAVES:    -   -   Size.—Considered moderately large for the species. Leaf            measurements have been taken from vigorous upright current            season growth approximately at mid-shoot.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 192 to 199 mm.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 52 to 60 mm.        -   Leaf thickness.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf upper surface color.—Medium green, approximately 137A-C            of the Green Group.        -   Leaf lower surface color.—Medium green varying among 137C-D            and 138A-B of the Green Group.        -   Leaf mid-vein color.—Light yellow green (145C-D, 149D and            150D of the Yellow-Green Groups).        -   Leaf margins.—        -   Form.—Considered crenate/crenulate.        -   Uniformity.—Considered generally uniform.        -   Leaf petioles.—        -   Size.—Considered medium long.        -   Length.—Approximately 12 mm.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—Pale green (145C-D, 149D and 150D of the Yellow-Green            Groups).        -   Leaf glands.—        -   Size.—Approximately 1 mm in height and less than 1 mm in            width.        -   Number.—Generally 1-2 per leaf.        -   Type.—Globose.        -   Color.—Light brown (164A-B and 165B-C of the Greyed-Orange            Groups).        -   Leaf stipules.—        -   Size.—Medium-long for the species.        -   Length.—Approximately 12 to 14 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Color.—Green (Yellow-Green Groups 144B-C and N144C) with            reddish brown tips (Greyed-Orange Groups 164B-C and 165B)            when young. The stipules are considered to be early            deciduous.        -   Ratio of wood (leaf) buds to flowering buds.—1 to 2 flower            buds per vegetative bud.-   Flowers:    -   -   Floral buds.—        -   General.—The floral buds are considered to be medium to            medium large in size, conic in form, and slightly appressed            relative to the bearing shoot.        -   Color.—The bud scales are gray-brown, (approximately Brown            Groups 200A and N200B). The buds are considered hardy under            typical climatic conditions of the medium chill zone of            Texas (College Station, Fairfield and Terrell) and the            central San Joaquin Valley, Calif.        -   Length.—Approximately 5 to 6 mm.        -   Blooming type.—Considered medium early in relation to other            peach cultivars commonly growing in the medium chill zone of            Texas and the central San Joaquin Valley. Date of full bloom            was generally late February to early March, or 5 to 7 days            before ‘June Gold’ in the medium chill zone of Texas.        -   Flower type.—Non-showy.        -   Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately            20 to 25 mm.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 to 2 per node        -   Petal size.—        -   General.—Considered small to medium for the species.        -   Width.—Approximately 6 mm.        -   Length.—Approximately 11 to 12 mm.        -   Petal form.—Broadly ovate.        -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.        -   Petal color.—Medium pink (Red-Purple Group 62B-C, 65A-B and            68D).        -   Petal claw.—        -   Form.—The claw is considered truncate in shape and has a            medium size when compared to other varieties.        -   Length.—Approximately 1 to 1.5 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1 mm.        -   Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly            smooth to slightly undulate.        -   Petal apex.—Generally—The petal apices appear slightly            domed.        -   Flower pedicel.—        -   Length.—Considered short, and having an average length of            approximately 2 mm.        -   Thickness.—Considered average, approximately 1 mm.        -   Color.—Light green (Yellow-Green Group 144D and N144C-D).        -   Floral nectaries.—        -   Color.—Medium orange (Orange Group 25A-B, N25A-B and 28A-B).        -   Calyx.—        -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous.        -   Color.—A brownish red with green (Red Group 53A,            Yellow-Green Group 144C, N144C-D, Greyed-Purple Group            183A-B, 184A-B and 185A).        -   Sepals.—        -   Surface texture.—The surface has a short, fine, wooly and a            gray-colored texture.        -   Size.—Average, and ovate in form.        -   Color.—A brownish red with green (Red Group 53A,            Yellow-Green Group 144C, N144C-D, Greyed-Purple Group            183A-B, 184A-B and 185A).        -   Anthers.—        -   General.—Average in size for the species.        -   Color.—Golden yellow (Yellow Group 13A-B and Yellow-Orange            Groups 14C and 16B-C).        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and is a yellow color            (approximately Yellow Orange 16A).        -   Filaments.—Size—Variable in length, approximately 11 to 13            mm, with the filaments slightly shorter than or equal to the            pistil.        -   Color.—White (approximately White Group 155A-D) and becoming            dark pink (Red-Purple Group 70B and 72C-D) with advanced            maturity.        -   Pistil.—        -   General.—Average in size, but slightly longer or equal to            the anther height.        -   Length.—Approximately 15 to 18 mm, including the ovary.        -   Color.—Considered a very light green (Yellow-Green Group            151A).        -   Surface texture.—The variety has a long, silver white            pubescent pistil (approximately White Group 155A-D).-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—The present variety of fruit is            described, as it would be found in its firm ripe condition            at full commercial maturity. Under the ecological conditions            prevailing in the medium chill of Texas, this cultivar is            picked from mid-May until early June depending on the year            and the site of the orchard. The average time of harvest for            Fairfield, Tex. was May 25th which was 3-5 days after            ‘Regal’ and 5-7 days before ‘June Gold’.        -   Size.—General—Medium large to large for the season and            considered uniform.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 56 to 59 mm.        -   Average suture diameter.—Approximately 57 to 62 mm.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 51 to 53 mm.        -   Fruit form.—Generally considered round-oblate with unequal            halves. Occasionally the fruit exhibits less symmetry when            comparing the suture height with the line opposite the            suture. The fruit is generally uniform in symmetry when            viewed from the apical aspect.        -   Fruit suture.—Generally, the suture appears as a thin line            that extends from the base to the apex, and appears deeper            at the apex, forming a shallow basin at the apical point. No            apparent callusing or stitching exists along the suture            line.        -   Color.—Generally the ground and blush colors.        -   Ventral surface.—Form—Considered uniform.        -   Stem Cavity.—Size—Considered shallow for the species.        -   Width.—Approximately 8 to 9 mm.        -   Length.—Approximately 14 to 16 mm.        -   Depth.—Approximately 6 to 11 mm.        -   Fruit base.—Round and flat.        -   Fruit apex.—Flat.        -   Fruit stem.—Length—4 to 5 mm Thickness—Approximately 3 mm.        -   Fruit skin.—Generally considered medium or average in            thickness. Surface Texture — Heavy, medium pubescence. Skin            Acidity — Considered neutral. Tenacious to Flesh — Yes at            commercial maturity. Tendency to Crack — Not observed. Skin            Color — Generally — Variable, with approximately 40-90% of            the fruit surface covered with an attractive orange red            blush. Down — Light and short Blush Color — The blush color            ranges from dark red to medium red (Orange-Red Group N34A            and Red Groups 39A-B, 46A-B and 47A) with many degrees of            shading and blending between these colorations. Skin Ground            Color — The skin ground color is a medium yellow to yellow            green color (Green-Yellow Group 1C-D and Yellow Groups 2C-D            and 3C-D).        -   Flesh color.—Considered white to ivory in color (White Group            155A-B and Yellow-White Group 158B-D) with red flecks            appearing throughout becoming more abundant near the skin            (Similar to Red-Purple Groups 58A and 63A).        -   Flesh fibers.—Present, numerous and lightly colored. These            fibers are present throughout the flesh.        -   Stone cavity color.—Generally a yellowish green to medium            yellow (Green-Yellow Group 1C-D and Yellow Groups 2C-D and            3C-D) and darkening upon exposure to air.        -   Flesh texture.—Generally, the flesh is considered from and            fine at commercial maturity.        -   Ripening.—Generally the fruit of the present variety ripens            evenly.        -   Flavor.—Considered very sweet and with subacid flavor.        -   Aroma.—Pleasant and reasonably abundant.        -   Eating.—Generally considered very good, particularly for an            early ripening variety.-   Stone:    -   -   Attachment.—Clingstone at commercial maturity.        -   Stone size.—Generally considered medium-large relative to            the ratio of stone to fruit size.        -   Length.—Approximately 34 to 36 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 23 to 27 mm.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 17 to 19 mm.        -   Fibers.—Generally a few medium length fibers are            sporadically attached along the surface of the stone.        -   Stone form.—Oblate-elliptical.        -   Stone base.—The stone is medium to wide.        -   Apex shape.—Narrow to medium.        -   Stone shape.—The stone normally elongated.        -   Stone surface.—        -   Surface texture.—Single pits and rosettes of pits.        -   Ridges.—Numerous fine ridges are present basally, and            converge towards the base of the stone.        -   Ventral edge.—Small to medium.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape—Grooved and having moderately rough            edges.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is a medium brown            color (Greyed-Orange Groups 164B and 165B-C). The color of            the inside surface of the endocarp is primarily            Greyed-Orange 165B-C.        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is relatively uncommon.        -   Kernel.—the kernel fills the endocarp at harvest and            measures approximately 4-5 mm in thickness, 11-13 mm in            width, and 15-16 mm in length. When dried the shriveled            kernels measure approximately 1 mm in thickness, 10-11 mm in            width, and 14-16 mm in length. The colors of the shriveled            kernels are primarily 164A and 165B-C of the Greyed-Orange            Group and N199C-D of the Grey-Brown Group.        -   Use.—The subject variety, ‘WHITE DELIGHT ONE’, is considered            to be a peach tree of early-season maturity, which produces            subacid white-fleshed fruit which are firm, attractively            colored suitable for the fresh fruit market.        -   Keeping quality.—Good.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted.        -   Shipping quality.—Average.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing inthe mediun chill zone of Texas, it will be understood that variations ofthe usual magnitude and characteristics incident to the changes ingrowing conditions, fertilization, pruning, and pest control are to beexpected.

REFERENCES

Anon. 1995. R.H.S. Colour Chart. The Royal Hort. Soc., London.

Yoshida, M., M. Yamaguchi, H. Kyotani, T. Kozono, T. Nishida, and Y.Ishizawa. 1987. New peach cultivar ‘Chiyohime’. Bull. Fruit Tree Res.Sta. Series A, 14:1-8.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Prunus persica tree, substantially asillustrated and described herein.